Tour Sicily In Depth (Small Groups, End Malta, 4 Days, 11 Days)

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Insight Vacations through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us from January 1, 2023 onward. It is your client’s responsibly to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if they are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.

Guide

: Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols. Ragusa: During your orientation with your Travel Director see the famous Baroque buildings and churches. Erice: Led by your Travel Director, explore the quiet alleys of this ancient walled town, as if you’ve stepped into the Middle Ages. See the medieval churches and marvel at the sea views from the gardens of the Castle of Venus. Cefalu: Your Travel Director will show you the cathedral, built to fulfil a vow. Walk to the medieval stone fountain in the old fishermen’s quarter, find the Gothic arch of the Porta Marina and see the harbour. Taormina: During your orientation with your Travel Director, visit the courtyard of Palazzo Corvaja, seat of the first Sicilian parliament, and stroll along Corso Umberto to Piazza IX Aprile. Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas. From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.

Accommodation

Day 1 Il Principe Hotel, Catania Day 2 Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa Day 3 - Day 5 Best Western Ai Cavalieri Hotel, Palermo Day 6 - Day 7 RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina Riviera Day 8 - Day 10 Waterfront Hotel, Sliema

Others

Choose between two carefully selected activities Palermo: Visit the spectacular Arab-Norman Monreale Cathedral. Its sombre exterior gives away few clues to the riches inside. Step into a world where the walls glitter with 12th century mosaics, the best of their kind in the world. Palermo: Join your Local Expert for a walk through the lively Vucciria market. : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests). : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues. : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day. : "A type of food I really love introducing my guests to is the street food because it tells a lot about the habits of the locals, it can be a slice of pizza folded up or a sfogliatella in Naples, an arancini, a gelato in Sicily, or a cannolo. " : "I really love about showing guests the huge variety that Italy has to offer, from quaint countryside villages to cities full of stupendous art and architecture." : "One thing I really love about showing guests about Italy is how art and beauty can be found around every corner of some of Italy’s cities, which are real open air museums." Syracuse: Walk through the gardens of Paradise Quarry, listen to the acoustics in the mysterious Ear of Dionysius and visit the Greek theatre. Valletta: Explore the capital with your Local Expert. Visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens and get lost in its beautiful 16th century buildings including St John’s Co-Cathedral, designed in a baroque fashion. Agrigento: A Local Expert will lead you through the magnificent remains of the Greek colony in the Valley in the Temples. See the massive Temple of Concord and clifftop Temple of Juno. Palermo: Visit the spectacular Arab-Norman Monreale Cathedral. Its sombre exterior gives away few clues to the riches inside. Step into a world where the walls glitter with 12th century mosaics, the best of their kind in the world. Palermo: Join your Local Expert for a walk through the lively Vucciria market. Taormina: Should you awake early, you may see why this is known as ’The Dawn Coast of Europe.’ Taormina: Visit the ancient Greek Ampitheatre with your Local Expert. Set on a cliff, open to the sky, take your seats and enjoy the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna. Sliema: Visit the National War Museum, site of a former air raid shelter. Learn about the important role Malta played during WWII over a lecture by an historian. Marsala: Enjoy a tasting of some of the island’s richest Sicilian wines at Baglio Donna France. The estate uses sustainable farming practices, cultivates rare ancient grains and uses water management systems to reduce waste. Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert’s fascinating commentary. We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door. Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you’ll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.

Transport

: Enjoy the comfort of Insight’s luxury, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with onboard washroom. Alternate vehicles without onboard washroom or 40 seats may be used on occasion. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches. Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available). If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Meals

Sliema: Enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your fellow travellers at your luxury hotel in Sliema. Catania: Join your Travel Director and fellow guests for your Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. Palermo: Choose between a variety of restaurants and cuisines on your Dine-Around Evening. Taormina: Your Farm-to-Table Celebration Dinner reflects some of Sicily’s top culinary heritage. Dining Summary: 10 Breakfast (B), 5 Dinner with Wine (DW), and 2 Lunch with Wine (LW)

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Others

Other services and activities are not included

Optional

Other services and activities are not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Welcome To Sicily
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Welcome To Sicily

On arrival at Catania airport, transfers leave for your hotel at 10:00, 12:30 and 15:30.Relax and settle in before meeting your Travel Director at 17:30, for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 Day 2: Ancient Syracuse
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Ancient Syracuse

Sightseeing with your Local Expert takes you to Syracuse’s Paradise Quarry with its unusual Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped grotto with an unusual echo. Continue to the superb Greek theatre, carved out of solid rock, one of the largest of the ancient world. There is time to explore the atmospheric Old City, a maze of narrow streets lined with palaces, sprawling over the island of Ortygia. It was here that the famous geometrician Archimedes ran naked through the streets, crying ‘Eureka!’ Continue around the southeastern corner of Sicily to Ragusa.
Day 3 Day 3: Explore The Valley Of The Temples And On To Palermo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Explore The Valley Of The Temples And On To Palermo

Journey along the southern coast of the island, past the oil producing town of Gela to Agrigento. Explore the Valley of the Temples with a Local Expert. See the massive Temple of Concordia and the clifftop Temple of Juno overlooking the sea. Your travels continue to the Sicilian capital of Palermo.
Day 4 Day 4: Palermo & The Golden Age Of The Normans
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Palermo & The Golden Age Of The Normans

Explore Palermo with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the spectacular Arab-Norman Monreale Cathedral with a Local Expert. Alternatively, join your Local Expert for a walk through the lively market. Later this morning, visit Palermo Cathedral which has been altered many times over the years and observe its unique blend of architectural styles. For your dining pleasure, you are offered a selection of local restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening, each with their own ambience and cuisine.
Day 5 Day 5: Exploring Erice
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Exploring Erice

Venture to the charming hilltop walled town of Erice and explore the labyrinth of quiet alleyways. Pause to enjoy the sea views from the gardens alongside the Castle of Venus. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in the heart of Marsala countryside, during a tasting of rich Sicilian wines. The estate uses sustainable farming practices, cultivates rare ancient grains and uses water management systems to reduce waste. Back in Palermo the evening is at your leisure.
Day 6 Day 6: Cefalu And The Taormina Riviera
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Cefalu And The Taormina Riviera

Travel to the quaint fishing town of Cefalu. The town’s imposing cathedral was erected to fulfil a vow made by the Norman King Roger II. Stroll down to the medieval stone fountain and seek out the Gothic arch of the Porta Marina for a picture-perfect view of the little harbour.
Day 7 Day 7: Taormina And The Dawn Coast Of Europe Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Taormina And The Dawn Coast Of Europe Relaxed Start

Your hotel faces east, so early risers may experience why D.H. Lawrence christened this ’The Dawn Coast of Europe.’ After breakfast, perhaps take an Optional Experience through the vineyards to Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Travel to the old town of Taormina, which clings to the side of Mount Tauro overlooking the Ionian Sea and the peak of Mount Etna. With your Local Expert, visit the Greek theatre set on a cliff and open to the sky. Take a moment to sit in this ancient theatre and absorb the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna. Stroll on to the tiny courtyard of the Palazzo Corvaja, Taormina’s grandest building and further along the elegant Corso Umberto, the Piazza IX Aprile offers panoramic views. At a local restaurant, rejoice with your new-found friends over your Celebration Dinner of delicious, freshly prepared Farm-to-Table cuisine, accompanied with exquisite Italian wines.
Day 8 Day 8: Fly From Catania To Malta
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Fly From Catania To Malta

During your private transfer to Catania airport, appreciate the vistas of Mount Etna one last time. Board your short flight to Malta where on arrival you are met and taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and settle into your hotel. Join your Travel Director at 18:30 for a Welcome Dinner with wine.
Day 9 Day 9: Southern Delights Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Southern Delights Relaxed Start

Venture south to Valletta, Malta’s striking capital, with a Local Expert. Once here you’ll visit the Upper Barrakka Gardens and the impressive St. John’s Cathedral, designed in a baroque fashion. Find yourself captivated by the abundance of history as you walk through the elegant streets to see why it is named The Fortress City with its restored golden-stone buildings that mould the cityscape. For lunch feast on delicious meal made from fresh local ingredients.This afternoon visit the National War Museum. Learn about Malta’s important role in WWII with a lecture from an historian.
Day 10 Day 10: Free Time In Sliema Relaxed Start
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Free Time In Sliema Relaxed Start

Today is free for you to laze on the rooftop terrace and enjoy the marvellous seascapes from the seafront hotel. Perhaps take a relaxing stroll along the promenade filled with many restaurants and bars. If you’re feeling more active, why not take an Optional Experience with lunch on Gozo Island? Calypso Cave, found on the island, is said to be the one Homer wrote about in his acclaimed epic poem, The Odyssey.
Day 11 Day 11: Depart Malta
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Depart Malta

It’s time to say goodbye to this beautiful island and your fellow travellers, as a transfer takes you to Malta International Airport for your onward journey.

11 days tour

Sicily In Depth (Small Groups, End Malta, 4 Days, 11 Days)

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Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Sicily In Depth (Small Groups, End Malta, 4 Days, 11 Days)

Day 1: Welcome To Sicily

Day 2: Ancient Syracuse

Day 3: Explore The Valley Of The Temples And On To Palermo

Day 4: Palermo & The Golden Age Of The Normans

Day 5: Exploring Erice

Day 6: Cefalu And The Taormina Riviera

Day 7: Taormina And The Dawn Coast Of Europe Relaxed Start

Day 8: Fly From Catania To Malta

Day 9: Southern Delights Relaxed Start

Day 10: Free Time In Sliema Relaxed Start

Day 11: Depart Malta

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